Bike lights on full beam

[AmazingGrace]

Hey everyone

I’ve noticed over the last few years of the number of bikes that seem to have their full beam on.
It’s either that I’m simply misreading it, the lights have generally got brighter, or perhaps there’s a trend to have them on full so bike riders can be seen?

I usually drive a normal height car, nothing too low.

[OutInTheShed]

See also inadequates driving cars with 'self dipping lights' which don't.

[M4cruiser]

If you mean pedal bikes (not motorbikes) then yes I've noticed.
They are much more difficult to assess (i.e. speed and distance).

[Simon_GH]

I was advised by an ‘experienced’ motorcyclist to put my lights on full beam in traffic. My common sense advised me that blinding other road users was probably a bad idea.

[AmazingGrace]

M4cruiser said:

If you mean pedal bikes (not motorbikes) then yes I've noticed.
They are much more difficult to assess (i.e. speed and distance).

No, motorbikes.

Bicycles riders are just a law unto themselves and blind people ad nauseam

[bolidemichael]

This is a personal pet hate of mine. Inconsiderate gits. Blinding other bikers to compensate for their lack of positional awareness and defensive riding.

See also, cyclists and their light of a thousand suns lamps or the epilepsy inducing strobes.

Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 19th March 22:19

[Pica-Pica]

I hate that with a vengeance, it IS deliberate, and it doesn’t make them more visible. In fact, quite the opposite - you cannot accurately place their position on the road. They are endangering themselves.

[Bob_Defly]

I tried it once to see if it made me more visible, I just got flashed all the time so stopped doing it.

[bolidemichael]

Bob_Defly said:

I tried it once to see if it made me more visible, I just got flashed all the time so stopped doing it.

At least you could see their willies nice and clearly

[srob]

I get blinded by a lot more SUVs and Seats (and new Minis, I've noticed) and various other new cars with insanely bright lights than motorbikes on my 50 mile round trip every day.

[Salted_Peanut]

srob said:

I get blinded by a lot more SUVs and Seats (and new Minis, I've noticed) and various other new cars with insanely bright lights than motorbikes on my 50 mile round trip every day.

Me, too.

Nonetheless, I don’t use full-beam when there’s oncoming traffic. Blinding an oncoming driver is counterproductive and unhelpful.

[Salted_Peanut]

AmazingGrace said:

Bicycles riders are just a law unto themselves and blind people ad nauseam

Unfortunately, we’ve got an arms race with cycle light manufacturers producing ever-increasing Lumens.

The cycling press doesn’t help—reviews often laud Lumens, without considering that dazzling drivers doesn’t help anyone.

[GolfDragon]

The new one is runners with powerful head torches in the dark. Walking home from work one evening and being dazzled by a runner coming towards me was an unpleasant experience (as a pedestrian)

[giantdefy]

AmazingGrace said:

Bicycles riders are just a law unto themselves and blind people ad nauseam

Bloody cyclists riding without lights, put some lights on, NO NOT THOSE!

[srob]

Salted_Peanut said:

srob said:

I get blinded by a lot more SUVs and Seats (and new Minis, I've noticed) and various other new cars with insanely bright lights than motorbikes on my 50 mile round trip every day.

Me, too.

Nonetheless, I don’t use full-beam when there’s oncoming traffic. Blinding an oncoming driver is counterproductive and unhelpful.

Most of my bikes don't even have lights and those that do barely illuminate the end of the front mudguard so I'm not guilty of blinding anyone

[bolidemichael]

giantdefy said:

AmazingGrace said:

Bicycles riders are just a law unto themselves and blind people ad nauseam

Bloody cyclists riding without lights, put some lights on, NO NOT THOSE!

It’s the lack of awareness, generally the lights are tilted upwards so that the beam extends further; however, it also dazzles oncomers as a consequence.

[lancslad58]

What you need is a MOTOPLAS headlamp cover from the 70's....or a shower cap

[Far Cough]

I only use Full Beam when filtering through solid stationary traffic like on the run up to the Blackwell tunnel or on the motorway as the numpty car drivers always fancy a last minute lane change to the adjoining also stationary queue. Non of that hazard light nonsense - no one is going to see that. Full beam though , yes hopefully

[Bob_Defly]

bolidemichael said:

Bob_Defly said:

I tried it once to see if it made me more visible, I just got flashed all the time so stopped doing it.

At least you could see their willies nice and clearly